Centering device



oct. 25, 1932. G. F. COUCHv 1,884,581

CENTERING DEVI CE Filed Feb. 12. 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet l Oct. 25, 1932. G. F. coUcH CENTERING DEVICE Filed Feb. 12, 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 3110844150@ Genn '27.' uc

Patented 9ct. 25, 1932 isaiasi Parar Friet:

GLEEIT F. COUCH, F ROCHESTER, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO THE SYMIGTON COMPANY, 0F NEW YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION OF MARYLAND CENTERING DEVICE Application led February 12, 1927. Serial No. 161698.

rlhis invention relates to centering devices and, more particularly, to such adapted for association with railway draft rigging for supporting and centering the couplers thereof.

The principal obj ect of my invention is the provision of a centering device for couplers involving links movably supporting an associated carrier block with provision for rock ably mounting the upper ends of said links and for connecting the lower ends thereof with said carrier block by spaced pivotal connections which are alternatively operable, whereby said device is more e'ective for rea turning the associated coupler to central position. n

An object of my invention is the provision of a centering and supporting device for couplers involving swinging links supporting a carrier block extending between the lower ends thereof, the upper ends of said links being mounted for rocking rather than for pivotal movement with respect to an associated coupler stop and sill tie casting.

Another object of Vmy invention is the proision of acentering device for car couplers comprising a coupler carrier block swingingly mounted by means of links connected at opposite ends thereof, provision being made whereby, when the block swings to one side, it pivots about a set of trunnions on the links and, when it swings to the other side, it pivots about another set of trunnions on the links so that more effective centering action is obtained.

A further object of my invention isk the provision of a centering device for couplers comprising links with Tshaped ends rockably mounted in the U-shaped side portions of an associated combination striking casting and sill tie member, the lower ends of links being provided with laterallyspacedtrunnions and a carrier block formed with bearing notches engaging said trunnions and adapted to pivot on one set of 'tr-un-nions when swung in one direction and on another set when swung in the other direction, said carrier block extending through apertures in the webs land guided in its motion. by said flanges,

A still further robject of my invention is the provision of a centering device for couplers comprising a carrier block adapted to support an associated coupler'and, in turn,-

lsupported at `its ends by links rockably `mounted on an associated casting adapted for connection at the ends of draft sills, said links being outwardly bowed for permitting greater lateral swinging thereof without en gagement with adjacent portions of the casting. i Y

Other objects and advantages of the invention relating to the particular arrangement and construction of the various parts will be-y come apparent as the description proceeds.

Referring to the drawings illustrating my invention, the scope whereof is deiined by the appended claims:

Figure 1 is a front elevation, partly in section on the line 1-1 of Figure 3, looking in the direction of the arrows, of a combination coupler stop and sill tie casting involvinga centering device embodying my invention.

Figure 2 is a plan of the carrier block ofmy centering device, one of the associated links being shown in section on the line 2-2 of Figure l looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 3 is a side elevation of the embodi-v,y ment of my invention illustrated in Figure 1,y showing the same connected with associated sills and with an associated coupler shown diagrammatically by dot and dash lines. i

Referring to the drawings in detail, like parts being designated by like reference characters. I have illustrated a combined casting 1 comprising a coupler stop or striking portion 2, depending side portions 3 and a carrier iron or sill tie portion l connecting the lower enc s of said side portions 3. The coupler striking portion 2 preferably comprises a yfront or `outer upright web 5 serving as a stop for the associated coupler 6 indicated diagrammatically by dot and dash lines, a rearwardly eX- tending web or shelf portion 7 adapted for connection with the associated cover plate 8 and end sill 9 by rivets 10 or the like and a lower web portion 11 framing the opening 12 through which the stem of thecoupler 6 eX-..r`

tends: For bracing the webs 5, 7 and 11 to- '12.10

mithmhitheseastng land outivand1y-extend--. ing flanges 16. 'llfheiouteror fronlLfianges-l ma if desired, extend inwardly beyond the we s forming rib or lip portions-Niet the outer end of the opening12. Thecouplervcarrier or sill tie portion 4 lis preferably generfa 1 iup/ier, ed or channelshapein c oss sec- ),giilwii fanii'upgerweb'ie ,andiiaigies i9 Q n engi, ethere'ofwaihanges,being practilie in .the Vsame i ,si @te reifen-*bly i; eil 1tlia i simflmiefpwtier *hereby 'i rol 8greaters1ze furthe opening 12 a'n draft gear and particularly the buttof a t onlmgwebs, 15 landvbrlaced with respect to ns e flabgesI 16 by lowergussetportions 28 and m mi Syeif tipns'lgftoprovile pockets 30. The

1links, .,larefpreferalyf orinecl.withA rocker rniinionpprtions 51 extending longitudirvia tov'e'ngage thelip, Qrslielfrportions 27,

mvthe loqvvei;surfacesl of said portions 31 being ppi-ees 2 ir'tior''s 1,311, l which forni T -sliaped upper Pre i "s yel rather ,than pivot with reflaiii ifitblirks er@ formed Smell sheesh rablyflcryel andA adapted to rock on said "ect `thereto. or this purpose, the rocker SisfprJeferably downwardval ofl the coupler* e swivehbuttztypdcsuch as dia-V Y; bprward porhek-plate being pprltionsZi laterallyvspaced from the vb viliaving the ends lient over on to the so that sufiicient clearance for rocking purposes in the pockets is provided.

The lower ends of the links 2G are likewise generally T-shaped but, instead of having extensions forming rockers as at the up- .per ends, the extensions each comprise a I pluralityof laterally spaced trunnion or journal portions 33 supporting thereon the earrie'r block 25 which is preferably bifureated 'at eachiend to embrace, the lower ends of the klinksitindfbe movably supported thereon by the extensions The bifureated portions 34 of the carrier block are each preferablyprovidedjvith a plurality of notches or hearing vportions 35 Corresponding generally ,in location and lcurvature with the trunnion portions'S of the links, whereby l`said car- Apier block islsupported for sidewise swinging .andx adapted to pivot,4 when swungin one direction, on one set of trunnions and, when swungI in,i the1 other direction, on the other set ,of,trunnions, to provide an immediate returning force ofV substantial amount when said v"block and its supportedl coupler are Vmoved, from central position, as will be uuderstood. In order, to permit insertion ol rthe carrier block 2 5, the webs l5 are ,aperturedasindicatedut ittand saidebloek is guided and prevented from undesired move- ,ill

nient longitudinally' of the car by means of i Athe webs 16 which lie on either side therex Ofwith Qnilynornial clearance therebetween. o the depending yortions 3 In Qrderto `permit :i relatively large alnninnt 'ofswin ingmoveinent of the coupler, espeorbowed ,outwardly as indicated at 3T thereby providinga greater clearance with respect to thefwebs 1,5.

Itwvill ,be seven` that the engagement between oneieudgif the arrierbloek and the corresponding link involves outer lipv portions 3.,wh'ielrdepe11d to substantially the lower, leyehof, said block, whereby engage- .mnttbetween ,said link and block is relatively secure. The connection at the other end of the blockwith its associated link preferably involves the use of .a generally U- shapedfretainerpr hairpin ycottcr Si)` with the intermediate portion 40 thereof corresponding in locationvwith the lips 3S of the otherfend, 'the side portions 41 extending upwardly through corresponding aperture- V42 in t ebifurcated portions 34 of the block 25, sai etainer or cotter being held in place notchediQpoi-tions -ll rof the carrier block .Itwill be seen that this construction seeiirel).v .connects oneI ofthe links 26 and the corresponding end ,of the block thereby absotheotlier end of the carrier block,

thonhr lwhie isnotzabsolutelv connected by means lll) of a cottert), should become slightly sepa- I rated from the corresponding link, 26 upon overturning the car, yet, by having the other end held in place by-they cotter, engagement would again be effected upon righting the car. Centering of the coupler 6 with respect to the carrier block 25 may be provided in any desired manner as by means of upstanding lugs lillying on either side of the coupler, or by having the supporting surface or web 45, for said coupler lying below the upper edge of the end portions d5 of the flanges L17, or both, as illustrated.

A preferred method of assembling the parts of the centering device is as follows. The coupler is first received inthe aperture l2 of the casting l', then the carrier block 25 is inserted into place through the apertures 36, the link 26, at the right or that not connected to the blockby means of a cotter is then inserted in place and moved to proper position and the block mounted thereon as illustrated. The other link 26 is then inserted in place and moved to proper position with respect to the block 25, the hairpin cotter 39 inserted from below, the upper ends bent over as illustrated and the mechanism is assembled.

By virtue of the aforedescribed construction, it will be appreciated that I have devised a centering device which not only eliminates friction by having a rocking insteady of a pivotal mounting for the tops of the links 26 but a greater returning` or centering force is' provided for the coupler by virtue of the pivotal connections between the bottoms of the links and the carrier block, which connections are alternatively operable depending upon whether the coupler and block are swung one way or the other, as will be understood. It will be appreciated that not only is a greater returning force provided by this construction but this force becomes immediately operable upon disengagement between one of the sets of trunnions 33 and the carrier block as said trunnions are preferably normally spaced on either side of the vertical center line of the bearings at the upper ends of the links. The rocking between the upper ends of the links and the casting, by moving the point of engagement therebetween in a direction opposite to that in which the carrier block swings, augments the returning force provided by the centering device as will be appreciated.

Although the lower portions of the links 26 are shown as provided with outstanding trunnion portions formed as laterally spaced trunnions on either side of said links, yet I do not wish to be limited to such construction as,

if desired,a singletrunnion at each side of each link may be employed with the upper surface thereof flattened. That is, the configuration of each trunnion portion 32 could, instead of corresponding to a pair of spaced semi-cylindrical surfaces, be formed flat on top with curved sides and substantially the same effect would kbe secured as far as the returning moment Vfor centering the supported coupler is concerned. If such a construction were provided, of course, the carrier block 25 would be correspondingly modified in that, instead of providing a plurality of spaced bearing portions 35 in each bifurca-ted portion of the block, a single relatively long notch or bearing portion, corresponding tothe bearing portions 35 with the dividing or separating lug therebetween removed, would be formed in the carrier block. ln other words, an equivalent construction for cer-tain purposes and one within the scope of the present invention involves't-he employment of flattened bearings between the carrier block and the links rather than laterally separated bearing portions as illustra-ted.

Having now described my invention, I claim:

l. A centering device for couplers comprising a member formed with side walls and supporting ledges on either side of an associated coupler, a link disposed outside of the corresponding side wall on either side of said coupler and formed with extensions rockably engaging said ledges, the intermediate portions of said links being displaced from lines joining the ends away from each other to increase the clearance with respect to said side walls and corresponding permissible swinging movement thereof, and a carrier block inovably supported from the lower portions of said links.

2. A centering device for couplers comprising a casting having a central passage for the stem of a coupler, said casting being formed, on either side of said coupler, with flat supporting shoulders, a link at each side of said coupler formed with extensions adjacent the upper end thereof with curved surfaces engaging said shoulders for rocking movement thereon, the lower end of each link being formed with a plurality of transversely spaced trunnion portions, and a carrier block movably supported on said trunnion portions of the link and adapted to pivotA alternately about the same, the element of said casting dehning the lower outline of said passage being disposed below the lower edge of said'block so that removal of the latter enlarges the passage to permit the insertion or removal of a couplerwith a relatively large butt. i

3. A centering device for couplers comprising a member formed with supporting ledges on either side, a link formed with extensions rockably supported on said ledges on either side of an associated coupler, the lower ends of said links being formed with outwardly extending trunnion portions, a carrier block adapted to support an associated coupler and formed with bifurcated ends embracing the lower dportions of said links and supported on sai trunnion portions and means connecting one end of said block with the correspending link for preventing disengagement of the carrier block when the car is turned over.

4. `A centering device for couplers comprising a member formed with a web and supporting ledge on either side, a link disposed to one side of the adjacent web on either side and formed with an extension swingingly engaging the corresponding one of wid ledfres, and a carrier block movably rted rom the lower portions of said links, said links being bowed away from the adjacent webs to permit greater swinging movement thereof.

y5. A centering device for couplers comprial Y a center casting having a passage theret rough for the stem of a coupler, the side portions ot said casting being generally U-shaped in cross section with the webs of said Us inwardly disposed and the flanges extending outwardly, shelf portions on said flanges extending toward each other and providing bearings, links movably supported at their upper ends by means of said shelf rtions, the lower ends of said links being ormed with trunnion means, the lower portions of said webs being apertured and a carrier iron inserted through said apertures, guided by said flanges and movably carried on the trunnion means of the links. the lower element of said center casting being bowed downwardly below the carrier iron to provide a passage of relatively great depth to permit the insertion or removal of a coupler with relatively large bntt, upon removal of the carrier iron.

6. A centering device for couplers comprisin a casting adapted tor connection with t ends of associated sills and formed with an aperture for receiving the stem of an associated coupler, those portions of the member, on either side of said aperture, being each provided with a shelf portion adapted to movably support a carrier link, carrier links formed with bearing means engaging said shelf portions and depending therefrom, the lower ends of said links being formed with trunnion means and a carrier block supported on said trunnion means and guided by said casting, the lower member of the casting defining the coupler receiving opening being downwardly spaced with respect to the block.

7. A centering device for couplers comprising a casting formed with an upper conpler stop portion, depending side portions generally U-shaped in cross section and a sill tie portion connecting the lower ends of said side portions, ledges provided on the flanges of said U-shaped portions and extending toward each other, link means mounted between said flanges and formed with extensions at their upper ends engaging said ledges and adapted to rock thereon, the lower ends of said links being formed with lateral extensions providing a plurality of trunnion means at either side of each link and a carrier biock bifurcated at its ends and embracing the lower ends of said links, each of said portions, on opposite sides of said links, being formed with a plurality of correspondingly spaced bearing pockets engaging said trunnions on the links, whereby, upon motion of the carrier block, pivotal motion takes place alternately with respect to said trunnions, said sill tie portion being curved downwardly below the carrier block t from its ends towards its center to provide a passage of relativelyv great depth to permit the insertion or removal ot' a coupler with a relatively large butt upon removal ot thc carrier block.

8. A centering device for couplers' comprising a member formed with a supporting ledge on opposite sides of an associated coupler, a link on either side ot' said coupler rockably supported on said ledge, a carrier block provided with a bearing portion at each end thereof, said links being formed with corresponding trunnion portions engaging in said bearing portions of the block for pivotally connecting said members. each f f.

of said bearing and trunnion portions involving parts curved about spaced centers, whereby the pivotal movement between said links and carrier block takes place about changing centers, one end of said block hav- 1 GLENN F. COUCH. 

